Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in East LA

OpenTable

Updated 05 September 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in East LA? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Dal Rae

4.8

4.8 (6491)

$31 to $50

American

Pico Rivera

About the restaurant

The Dal Rae is the Southern California restaurant where 1950s classics still reign. Lobster Thermidor, Pepper Steak, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Lamb Chops, Steak Diane and Cherries Jubilee prepared tableside are among more than 100 items on a truly retro menu, complete with some of the city's best martinis. Opened in 1958, the Dal Rae has maintained its original atmosphere, too, right down to a piano bar with live entertainment. And, most important, it has preserved a tradition otherwise found only in private clubs -- knowing its customers by name and treating them like the most important people in the whole wide world. The Dal Rae is located close to the 5 freeway and half-way between LA County, Orange County and The Valley. It is a perfect location for business meetings or entertaining friends and family.

Top review

LarryGold

Dined 1 day ago

It’s the perfect cocktail generation restaurant. We’ve been going for years and we love it.

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Popular dish

Fresh Chilean Sea Bass A la Ben

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad (For Two)

Popular dish

Dal Rae Caesar Salad for Two

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar - Downey

4.8

4.8 (64)

$30 and under

American

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is a mountain-inspired, scratch-kitchen restaurant where handcrafted food brings people together to connect and feel at home. Inspired by founder Chris Simms' time in the Rocky Mountains, our lodge-inspired spaces feature cozy fireplaces and dog-friendly patios, inviting you to slow down. Whether you're joining us for weekend brunch, happy hour, late-night favorites, seasonal dishes, handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, or exclusive Beer Club releases and perks, Lazy Dog is a place to relax, connect, and feel right at home.

Top review

Linda

Dined on 12 Sept 2026

The experience for 10 of us was good. Food, service, and prices were all great. The noise level was perfect (moderate) as we were there to remember a coworker who passed away, and that is what we were hoping for. Easy to talk with one another without competing with crowd noise, or music. Just what we were hoping for.

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Experience

$15 Fireside Favorites™

Experience

Thanksgiving at Lazy Dog

Experience

Wednesday Family Night with Blue Bunny Ice Cream!

Stevens Steak & Seafood House

4.7

4.7 (807)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Commerce

About the restaurant

It was just yesterday when we opened our doors. If Yesterday was October of 1952.

Steven's is America's premier traditional steakhouse. We are committed to providing you with outstanding hospitality and serving you the best steaks. Our acclaimed wine list, rich ambiance and personal wait-service are designed to provide you with a truly memorable steakhouse experience.

We also have another side of personality. Our lounge is alive with the hottest sounds of Salsa and many other Latin vibes. I

In addition, we have seven private dining rooms for that perfect quiet evening. Whether you are planning a business dinner, graduation, wedding, anniversary, rehearsal dinner, birthday or a large corporate meeting, we will satisfy your needs in a friendly and professional manner. Steven's steakhouse Gift Cards are the perfect gift for every steak lover. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Agyei

Dined 3 days ago

Albert is a great waiter and person he took care of us we had a ball we even bought a few suggestions he had for us on the menu considering it was our first time. The staff overall very great response time on refills to of service was prompt . Appreciate the staff so much and the Food oh my marvelous … 10 out of 10

Panda Inn - La Palma

4.7

4.7 (157)

$30 and under

Chinese

La Palma

About the restaurant

Panda Inn embodies the pursuit of a better life for all, built together one dish and one guest at a time. As “The Original Chinese Kitchen,” it blends classic American Chinese favorites with authentic flavors inspired by the restaurant’s first chef, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, and his roots in Yangzhou, Taiwan, and Japan. It is where heritage meets innovation, and the warmth of family embraces you with every bite.

This is Panda Inn. Welcome to our home.

Top review

ScottGold

Dined 7 days ago

First time at this location. The team was great and the food was awesome.

Hermon's

4.7

4.7 (54)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Northeast Los Angeles

About the restaurant

Hermon's: A Neighborhood Destination. A place for chops, crudo, handmade pasta, seasonal salads, and a cheeseburger to dream about. Come for big booths, big martinis, and big fun. Bring friends.

Top review

Madison

Dined 5 days ago

I love this restaraunt , always consistent and great service. They gave us some free bubbles to celebrate an occasion and they also were very flexible when I asked to switch my reservation from 2 to 4 people (considering how hard it is to get into this restaurant I think that was very very kind of them). The food is top notch, everything on the menu is fantastic but I dream about the vongole.

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar - Cerritos

4.6

4.6 (77)

$30 and under

American

Cerritos

About the restaurant

Top review

NancyGold

Dined on 12 Sept 2026

We always have a great experience. This time when we arrived for our reservation we were taken to our favorite table without asking! What a wonderful touch!!

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Experience

$15 Fireside Favorites™

Experience

Thanksgiving at Lazy Dog

Experience

Wednesday Family Night with Blue Bunny Ice Cream!

Black Angus Steakhouse - Whittier

4.5

4.5 (2158)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Whittier

About the restaurant

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on your own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget. To learn more visit www.blackangus.com

Top review

Georgette

Dined 5 days ago

My family celebrated my niece Valerie's birthday. Tory was amazing and provided excellent customer service she was kind and patient as her area picked up with guest, she remained attentive to our table. I want to give a shout out to Damien who assisted Tory with an amazing birthday song acknowledgment he made my nieces day extra special. I would like to acknowledge the bus boy who worked that shift at 4:30 PM on September 15th we did not get his name, he cleared the table so that we had enough room for our food orders and cleaned up promptly after we were done. The food was delicious we had a variety of items and we enjoyed them all. We will definitely come back with many more family celebrations in the future.

Dave & Buster's - Long Beach

4.4

4.4 (158)

$30 and under

American

Los Alamitos / Cypress

About the restaurant

Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items, and the most innovative drinks in Long Beach! From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite, and our premium bar is stocked to satisfy! Catch live sports, big games, playoffs, and your favorite teams on our massive TV screens with epic stadium sound. Whether you’re looking for a sports bar to watch the game, meet up with friends on game day, or enjoy great food and drinks while cheering on your team, Dave & Buster’s has you covered.

Top review

Tracie

Dined on 21 Aug 2026

Very nice, food great ,service great and games fun and loved the atmosphere, thank you

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4.3

4.3 (37)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Downey / Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs

About the restaurant

Casa Brunch is an elevated Mexican-American dining destination that celebrates comfort, culture, and bold flavor from morning through night. Known for its expansive all-day brunch and Tarde en Casa dinner offerings, Casa Brunch blends traditional Mexican guisos, classic American breakfast staples, and modern brunch favorites into one seamless, crave-driven experience.

Top review

judith

Dined 1 day ago

Food was great. We had the green chilaquiles, huevos con chorizo and the Mexican omelette and the coconut 3 leches French toast to share. Coffee was great, except it was served in a plastic to go cup, we ordered the cold brew Mexican vanilla and they charged for the cold foam addition was not noted = $9.50 coffee 😬 the other cold brew included the cold foam for $8 a 20oz Service was amazing!

Rokka Grill and Whiskey Bar - Whittier

4.1

4.1 (279)

$31 to $50

American

Whittier

About the restaurant

Rokka Whiskey Bar has one of the largest collections of Scoth, Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt and Whiskey in uptown Whittier! Take a trip to Japan, Scotland, Australia, and even India with pours that will surprise you even for the most seasoned of Whiskey enthusiasts. Well Crafted Cocktails and Crafted Culinary experience.

Top review

Shushan

Dined on 25 Aug 2026

Great whiskey, even better filet mignon! Excellent dinner!

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